US Bridges

19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek

FairPosted for load

Jefferson County, Alabama · 19th St. * Valley Creek · Structure no. 005321

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
103 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,000
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek in Jefferson County, Alabama. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 years old, older than the Alabama average of 51.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,200 by 2043. The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long and 49 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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Carries19th St. Bessemer
CrossesValley Creek
Location19th St. * Valley Creek
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJefferson County
StateAlabama
Coordinates33.41275, -86.96332
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.9 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length103 ft (31.4 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width49 ft (15 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2023)
Projected traffic5,200 by 2043
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek?

The structure is 103 ft (31.4 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 49 ft wide.

Who owns 19th St. Bessemer over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.